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Not to be confused with Glossary of baseball terms#around the horn.
This article is about the ESPN sports discussion show. For the BBC radio comedy, see Round the Horne.

Around the Horn
Around the Horn logo
GenreSports talk
Panel show
Debate
Presented byTony Reali (2004–present)
Max Kellerman (2002–2004)
StarringSee panelists
Theme music composerUmphrey's McGee (2014–2018)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons22
No. of episodes4,831[1]
Production
Executive producersJames Cohen
Erik Rydholm
Mark Shapiro
ProducersDan Farmer
Aaron Solomon
Bill Wolff
Running time30 minutes (with commercials)
Original release
NetworkESPN
ReleaseNovember 4, 2002 (2002-11-04) –
present

Around the Horn (ATH) is an American sports roundtable discussion show, conducted in the style of a panel game, produced by ESPN. The show premiered on November 4, 2002, as a replacement for Unscripted with Chris Connelly, and has aired daily at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN ever since. The show has been recorded in New York City since September 8, 2014, and has had over 4,000 episodes aired as of 2020. The program emanated from Washington, D.C., where it was located in the same facility as Pardon the Interruption (PTI). Production still is based in Washington, D.C.[2] The moderator for the show is Tony Reali, who has hosted the program since 2004, replacing Max Kellerman, and also served as the statistician on Pardon the Interruption until the show's relocation to New York.

Broadcast history

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Around the Horn logo from its premiere to November 2, 2018.

Around the Horn premiered on November 4, 2002.[3] From its premiere until January 30, 2004, the show was hosted by Max Kellerman, who at the time was largely known strictly as a contributor to ESPN's Friday Night Fights. In late 2003, Kellerman announced that he would depart from the network for Fox Sports;[4][5] after the show tried out several replacements, current host Tony Reali was named the permanent host on February 2, 2004, three days after Kellerman's last episode aired.[6] As of September 23, 2019, Woody Paige has the most wins in the history of the show, with more than six hundred.[7] Despite early negative reviews due to its now-defunct argumentative formatting,[8] the show has lasted more than twenty years on the air, remaining a staple on ESPN.[9] The show became less combative and more playful over the years, and in 2018, changed its look with augmented reality of the panel with Reali standing in an enhanced studio at ESPN's South Street Seaport studios with a continuation of the relaxed tone of the show since the mid-2010s.

The show went on hiatus from March 16, 2020 to May 8, 2020, as a result of a national emergency being declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the suspension of sports leagues around the world. Between May 11, 2020 and July 10, 2020, Around the Horn aired for 20 minutes with commercials at 4:40 p.m. EDT as Around the Home under a new format where Tony Reali, along with three panelists, discussed sports issues from their own homes. The Around the Home format became semipermanent beginning with the July 13, 2020 episode, which saw the show expand back to its normal length. The show returned to its regular format when it returned to the studio in September 2020, although the Around the Home format is still used occasionally.

It was announced on November 20, 2024, that Around the Horn will come to an end by summer 2025.[10] Shortly after this announcement, daily episodes were added to Disney+.[11]

The set

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The original set was in the same Atlantic Video complex as the set for Pardon the Interruption.[12] It featured the host's desk with the point triggers[13] and mute buttons.[14] The judge of the show scores four panelists, that are shown on four different screens.[15] Behind the host's desk was a map of the contiguous United States of America with the cities the sportswriters on the show appeared from. The map, divided into time zones, displayed the names of five newspapers representing each time zone. The Los Angeles Times represented the Pacific Time Zone, the Denver Post the Mountain Time Zone, the Dallas Morning News and Chicago Sun-Times both represented the Central Time Zone, and the Boston Globe represented the Eastern Time Zone. This was to create a regionally biased discussion, but this was later phased out.

When panelist Woody Paige was based in New York, the logo of Cold Pizza was added to the Eastern Time Zone side of the map as Paige also appeared on that program. Eventually, the logo of the Boston Globe was replaced by the word "Boston" as many of the contributors from Boston were no longer writing for the Globe. The map was eventually revised in this way for the other cities on the map, but there cities of other contributors were not added to the board (possibly due to a lack of space) before the map was removed. Panelists still appear from left to right as on a map of the United States, from the westernmost on the left to the easternmost on the right.

On September 27, 2010, Around the Horn and Pardon the Interruption began broadcasting in high definition and moved from the Atlantic Video complex to facilities in the ABC News Washington bureau, where high definition sets were built for both shows.[16] In 2014, Reali relocated to New York, with a studio built in ABC's Times Square Studios.[17] In 2018, in conjunction with the conclusion of Reali's work on Good Morning America, the show moved to ESPN's South Street Seaport Studios with an enhanced set featuring augmented reality.

Each panelist appears either in the offices of their newspaper, in front of a screen representing the city in which they are located, or in another studio. Dallas, Denver, and Los Angeles (when Bill Plaschke is appearing) still use their newspaper offices as studio space while Washington, Miami, Chicago, and Boston each have their own screens. (Los Angeles employs this as well when J.A. Adande is a panelist.) Newspaper office space is rarely used in today's iteration.

Hosts

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Panelists

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Active panelists

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where the panelist is based next to their name on the show most of the time.

  • J. A. Adande (Chicago): Former columnist for the Los Angeles Times and NBA reporter for ESPN. Left ESPN in August 2017 to focus full-time on his position as director of sports journalism at Northwestern University but returned in January 2018. In Chicago for his appearances now.
  • Bill Barnwell (Boston): Staff writer for ESPN.com.
  • Kevin Blackistone (Washington D.C.): The Washington Post, former columnist for The Dallas Morning News.
  • Kevin Clark (New York City): Host of This Is Football on ESPN radio. Former Ringer senior football writer and WSJ NFL columnist.
  • Tim Cowlishaw (Dallas): The Dallas Morning News columnist and former reporter for ESPN's NASCAR coverage. Based in Dallas at the headquarters of the Morning News.
  • Courtney Cronin (Chicago): Chicago Bears reporter for ESPN.
  • David Dennis Jr. (Atlanta): Senior writer for ESPN.com's Andscape.
  • Elle Duncan (Bristol, CT): SportsCenter 6 PM co-anchor.
  • Israel Gutierrez (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale): co-host of Highly Questionable, based in Miami at ESPN's studios at the Clevelander Hotel. Background currently shows Ft. Lauderdale.
  • Frank Isola (New York City): columnist for The Athletic and former columnist for the New York Daily News.
  • Martenzie Johnson (Washington D.C.): Writer for ESPN.com's Andscape.
  • Emily Kaplan (Chicago): Writer, Reporter, Podcaster. Lead NHL reporter and insider for ESPN/ABC and In The Crease with Linda Cohn. Previously NFL w/ MMQB, Philly Inquirer.
  • Mina Kimes (Los Angeles): Senior writer for ESPN The Magazine and former co-host of Highly Questionable. Based at network's base in Los Angeles.
  • Jen Lada (Milwaukee): Radio host for 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee and College GameDay features reporter.
  • Marcel Louis-Jacques (Miami): ESPN NFL Nation Reporter for the Miami Dolphins.
  • Harry Lyles Jr. (Atlanta): Staff writer for ESPN.com, co-host of Countdown to GameDay.
  • Monica McNutt (New York City): college basketball & WNBA analyst.
  • Woody Paige (Denver): Colorado Springs Gazette columnist and previously columnist at The Denver Post. Based in Denver at KMGH-TV. Was based in New York during his time on 1st and 10. Although he left the Denver Post in 2016, he continued to be based there while in Denver until February 2017.
  • Bill Plaschke (Los Angeles): Based in Los Angeles at the headquarters for the Los Angeles Times.
  • Bob Ryan (Boston): Boston Globe Columnist emeritus, substitute host of PTI.
  • Jorge Sedano (Los Angeles): Radio host for ESPN Radio stations, NBA on ESPN sideline reporter, college football play by play and Radio host for KSPN 710 Los Angeles. Based at the Networks base in Los Angeles.
  • Sarah Spain (Chicago): Columnist for espnW, co-host of ESPN Radio's Spain and Fitz, occasional contributor to Highly Questionable.
  • Ramona Shelburne (Los Angeles): Senior writer for ESPN.com. Co-host of TMI with Beadle & Shelburne on ESPN Los Angeles 710. Based in Los Angeles at network's base.
  • Lindsey Thiry (Los Angeles): National NFL reporter for ESPN.
  • Justin Tinsley (Washington D.C.): Senior writer for ESPN.com's Andscape.
  • Pablo S. Torre (New York City or Miami): Co-host of High Noon alongside Bomani Jones, writer for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com, former reporter for Sports Illustrated, and occasional co-host of The Dan Le Batard Show. Also the designated substitute host. Usually based in New York, but sometimes based in Miami.
  • Clinton Yates (Los Angeles): Senior writer for ESPN.com's The Undefeated.

Former panelists

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Panelist statistics

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current stats after February 7, 2025[21]

Name # wins # appearances winning % Special Notes
Woody Paige 683 2,952 23.1% All-time leader in wins & appearances, 2015 & 2024 Tournament of Champions; 70-70 versus Bob Ryan; Winner of ATH's 20th Anniversary show.
Tim Cowlishaw 546 2,095 26.0% First show: November 5, 2002; 2018 & 2021 Tournament of Champions; 82-79 versus Woody Paige; 24-10 versus Frank Isola, fourth lowest score (-99)
Bill Plaschke 426 1,746 24.3% First show: April 16, 2003; 2014 Tournament of Champions, third lowest score (-108), 74-66 versus Woody Paige, 21-15 versus Frank Isola, 13-9 versus Sarah Spain
Kevin Blackistone 381 1,595 23.9% First show: January 21, 2003; 2011 Tournament of Champions, 39-38 versus Bill Plaschke, 61-52 versus Woody Paige
J. A. Adande 336 1,288 26.1% First show: November 11, 2002; 2012 Tournament of Champions, 44-37 versus Tim Cowlishaw
Jay Mariotti 329 1,549 21.2% Hasn't appeared on the show since August 2010; Consecutive shows record (265 episodes); Won 2009 April Fools episode hosted by Woody Paige, only episode to be scored with golf score procedure (lowest points wins).
Jackie MacMullan 258 890 29.0% First show: November 12, 2002; 2nd lowest score (-474); 37-35 versus Woody Paige; Last show 12/22/2021, retired after 19 years on ATH and 39 years at ESPN
Israel Gutierrez 226.5 866 26.2% First show: March 18, 2008; 2023 Tournament of Champions
Bob Ryan 222 752 29.5% 8-6 versus Bill Plaschke
Frank Isola 189 891 21.2% First show: 2013, 2016 Tournament of Champions, Lowest active winning percentage (minimum 100 appearances), 7-5 versus Jorge Sedano, 5-1 versus Emily Kaplan
Bomani Jones 159 560 28.4% First show: October 22, 2010; Highest Point Avg.: 23.4 Pts/Show (minimum 100 appearances)
Pablo S. Torre 136.75 597 22.9% First show: October 25, 2012; 2013 Tournament of Champions; Most points ever (176); 2nd most points ever (136); 2nd most points lost (-336); Third lowest score (-286); 9-5 versus Sarah Spain
Michael Smith 136 451 30.2% First show: October 9, 2003; Highest winning percentage (minimum 100 appearances)
Clinton Yates 131 507 25.8% First show: September 6, 2017
Sarah Spain 125.5 433 29.0% First show: February 25, 2016; 2017 & 2020 Tournament of Champions; highest score (74); 11-9-1 versus Woody Paige, 14-2 versus Tim Cowlishaw
Mina Kimes 85 292 29.1% First show: March 30, 2017
Ramona Shelburne 59 217 27.2% First show: July 2016
Courtney Cronin 47 162 29.0% First show: June 1, 2022; Won in her debut on the show, first rookie panelist to win Tournament of Champions (2022)
Jorge Sedano 46.5 173 26.9% First show: October 19, 2018
Kate Fagan 41 157 26.1% First show: October 22, 2014[22]
Emily Kaplan 40 143 28.0% First show: May 10, 2019
Harry Lyles Jr. 40 182 22.0% First show: October 12, 2021
David Dennis Jr. 39 183 21.3% First show: May 4, 2022; Record for lowest points in a Showdown (-25); Lowest score (-491) and points lost (-501).
Justin Tinsley 38 151 25.3% First show: January 28, 2021
Michael Holley 34 120 28.3%
Monica McNutt 22 87 25.3% First show: February 17, 2021
Jemele Hill 22 78 28.2%
Kevin Clark 22 74 29.7% First show: September 22, 2023; Won in his debut on the show.
Elle Duncan 19 63 30.2% First show: June 22, 2020
Jim Armstrong 18 75 24.0%
Bill Barnwell 16 80 20.0% First show: September 15, 2023
Marcel Louis-Jacques 13 52 25.0% First show: June 20, 2023; Won in his debut on the show.
T. J. Simers 10 65 15.4% Winner of the first Around the Horn episode
Joon Lee 10 49 20.4% First show: April 28, 2021
Gene Wojciechowski 9 44 20.4%
Jen Lada 6 14 42.9% First show: June 12, 2024; Won in her debut on the show.
Josh Elliott 5 23 21.7%
Charlie Pierce 5 13 38.5%
LZ Granderson 4 19 21.1%
Jon "Stugotz" Weiner 4 16 25.0% First show: April 1, 2019
Lindsey Thiry 3 11 27.3% First show: September 29, 2023; Won in her debut on the show.
Domonique Foxworth 3 8 37.5% First show: May 9, 2019
David Jacoby 3 5 60.0% First show: September 13, 2019
Martenzie Johnson 2 12 16.7% First show: February 23, 2023; Won in his debut on the show.
Tony Reali 2 7 28.6%
Adam Schefter 2 5 40.0%
Kimberley A. Martin 2 4 50.0% First show: December 15, 2021
Richard Justice 1 5 20.0%
Dianna Russini 1 4 25.0% First show: June 27, 2019
Mark Cuban 1 1 100.0% Guest Panelist
Lil Wayne 1 1 100.0% Guest Panelist
Bruce Arthur 1 1 100.0% First Canadian Panelist, First Canadian Winner
Malika Andrews 1 1 100.0% First show: December 12, 2019
Christine Williamson 1 1 100.0% First show: October 3, 2023; Won in her debut on the show.
John Powers 0 5 0.0%
Dan Shanoff 0 5 0.0%
Ron Borges 0 4 0.0%
Jean Jacques Taylor 0 4 0.0%
Mark Kiszla 0 2 0.0%
Andy Katz 0 1 0.0%
Bob Glauber 0 1 0.0%

References

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  1. ^ after Monday November 4th 2024|https://x.com/AroundtheHorn/status/1853565389420011943/
  2. ^ "ESPN's 'Around the Horn' to Move to the Seaport Studios on Nov. 5". 23 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Around the Horn". TV Guide. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Muted: "Around The Horn" Host Max Kellerman Out At ESPN". Sports Business Daily. 11 February 2004. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  5. ^ Matt Yoder (24 June 2013). "Max Kellerman new full time co-host of SportsNation". Awful Announcing. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  6. ^ Lauren Weigle (7 September 2014). "Tony Reali, 'Good Morning America': 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com.
  7. ^ Kyle Koster (16 August 2017). "thebiglead.com/2017/08/16/who-is-on-the-all-time-around-the-horn-panel/". The Big Lead.
  8. ^ RICHARD SANDOMIR (16 July 2004). "TV SPORTS; This Debate Show Is All Con". New York Times.
  9. ^ Richard Deitsch (7 September 2014). "Nice Guys Finish First: An unorthodox TV arc for ESPN's Tony Reali". Sports Illustrated.
  10. ^ Glasspiegel, Ryan (20 November 2024). "Exclusive | 'Around the Horn' ending in 2025 after 23-year run on ESPN". New York Post. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  11. ^ https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-f75f1b7c-6c85-4253-9fc3-5be8b127e3d4
  12. ^ Marcus Vanderberg (27 September 2010). "Around the Horn & Pardon the Interruption Now In HD". SPORTSNEWSER.[permanent dead link‍]
  13. ^ AZARIAH GEBO (17 May 2011). "Popular ESPN Show, Around the Horn, Scored Fairly by Host, Tony Reali?". Bleacher Report.
  14. ^ Phil Thompson (6 January 2015). "'Around the Horn' parody makes a mute point". Chicago Tribune.
  15. ^ "Around The Horn". TV.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  16. ^ Ourand, John (11 December 2009). "ESPN's "PTI" and "Around The Horn" going HD next fall". Washington Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2 October 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  17. ^ ""Around the Horn" host Tony Reali to join "Good Morning America"". 10 April 2014.
  18. ^ Scott, David (1 April 2008). "Jackie Mack Taking Latest Globe Buyout". Boston Sports Media Watch. Archived from the original on 7 April 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
  19. ^ "Chicagotribune.com". Chicago Tribune.
  20. ^ Blankstein, Andrew (11 May 2011). "Former ESPN personality Jay Mariotti charged with felony stalking and assault". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  21. ^ "All-Time Wins Leaders". Around the Horn. ESPN. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  22. ^ "Behind the Horn - 10-22-14 - Introducing Kate Fagan". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
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